The UN and The Rebuilding of Iraq

Nice little article over at FOXNews.com describing the state of diplomacy in the establishment of the new Iraqi regime. It talks about how Rummy isn't having much influence and how Powell and Dr. Rice are more directing this aspect of the show. They then go on to discuss European reaction to the discussions and this is where it gets interesting.

France and Russia are of course opposing the US and Britain taking the lead role in the reconstruction of Iraq. This isn't terribly surprising given their pre-war opposition in the Security Council. But de Villepin came up with a statement that is incredible in its ignorance of reality.

He stated "the United Nations is the only international organization that can give legitimacy to this." Does he not realize what he and Chirac did to the legitimacy of the UN? Does he not realize that legitimacy is derived from the consistent and fair application of rules- something that the UN has failed at exceedingly well.

For the UN to have legitimacy it has to back up its resolutions. When the time came for the Security Council to step up - France and Russia shirked their duty. They allowed the very legitimacy about which they now speak to be wasted.

If the UN wants to have legitimacy again, it needs to start rebuilding itself. It can do this by refocusing itself on humanitarian missions. Nation building is outside its scope of capabilities.

They also need to decide how to approach the fair creation and application of rules. If there is going to be a standard set of rules for everyone, they need to be declared - along with penalties for their violation. If rules are going to be created according the needs and situations encountered, that needs to be stated also. But there needs to be clarity in where the rules come from. And the rules need to be enforced - no exceptions.

de Villepin needs to realize that his government's actions have undermined his current stance. It's time for him to pack it in and to fight another day, he won't - he can't - win this fight. His work is cut out for him in helping to rebuild the credibility of the UN in its humanitarian mission.

The coalition will rebuild Iraq. The UN, of course, will have an important role to play. That role is still yet to be assigned by the coalition and I'll guarantee that we will watch the UN closely to make sure it fulfills its role competently.

If de Villepin is so gung ho on rebuilding, he needs to start at the UN. Leave the real work of rebuilding a nation to people that can handle it.